- Date:2022-06-27
- Department:Hazard Control Division
To protect consumers by assuring that environmental agents selected thereby are legal, safe and effective, Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB) of Environmental Protection Administrations (EPA) establishes the “Environmental Agent Assessment Plan” annually to unite local environmental protection bureaus for the implementation of the plan. In 2021, local environmental protection bureaus conducted 37,621 inspections of environmental agents, including advertisements, labeling, inferior quality, counterfeits, and active ingredients tests. The passing rate thereof was 98.7% in 2021.
In 2021, environmental agent advertisements examined 10,242 cases and 233 advertisements violated to sell environmental agents, including mosquito repellent (spray), mosquito repellent hanging, cockroach and ant reagents, on e-commerce online platform without a permit. The content of inspections include labeling (27,260 cases), inferior quality (270 cases) inspected, active ingredients of environmental agent (117 cases). The result showed zero cases violated inferior quality standards. Two cases inspected on counterfeit environmental agents (without an approval and registration). The result showed four cases contained Mirex, which is a persistent organic pollutant chemical substance prohibited by EPA and listed under the Stockholm convention (Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants). Penalties have been imposed on abovementioned unqualified products with a request of removing them from the shelf within a prescribed period in accordance with Environmental Agents Control Act.
Although it is quite convenient to do the shopping or selling products through the e-commerce online platform, TCSB would like to remind all citizens not to sell environmental agents (including insecticide, mosquito repellent hanging, and mosquito repellent liquid and so on) online unless you possess an environmental agent vendor license. For those who advertise environmental agent illegally will imposed with a fine ranging from NTD 60,000 to NTD 300,000. TCSB calls for attention for all citizens to follow by the three principles for environmental agent advertisements. No advertising, which does not post an advertisement online without a permit or a license. No buying, which does not purchase environmental agents without an identifiable source and without an approval from EPA. No recommending, which does not advertise or declare the insect killing or prevention performance of an environmental agent online, specially, on the social medium platform.
If one wants to assure ones selected environmental agent is officially registered, one can surf online via the Search System for Environmental Agent Permits and Vector Control Operator Services (https://mdc.epa.gov.tw/PublicInfo/) established by TCSB by entering the product name or permit number. The system also allows you to make an inquiry on legal vector control and prevention professionals and environmental agent vendors. If you wish to know more about safety of use or to check information related to unqualified environmental agent products, welcome to visit the "Safe Use of Environmental Agents" (https://topic.epa.gov.tw/evsu/mp-8.html).
TCSB appeal to all citizens again that, if it is possible not to use or lessen the use of environmental agent, please do so as the best way to prevent insects is to clean the environment.
